Thanks for all the kind reviews; keep them coming! :)

Also, this chapter starts to get into what was shown in the book, so I should probably say this now: I am trying to stay as true to the book as I can (with maybe some elements from the movie!);however, the parts I do somewhat change and veer from is all for a purpose. I totally respect what Suzanne Collins did, but I may see things just a touch differently!

Thanks again for reading!

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Chapter Four

This is stupid, Haymitch thought as his design team was dressing him for his interview with Caesar Flickerman. I'd rather jump into the electric fence surrounding District 12 than this.

Once the train docked at the station in the Capitol, the real work began. Haymitch and the other tributes were swept into their penthouse, where Aria, with some help from Effie, and the designers began to plan outfits for the opening ceremony. The tributes from twelve were dressed in simple black suites and dresses — something that should not have taken the design team a whole day to create. You're supposed to represent coal, Aria told them. It's translates very well.

It translated to no one paying attention to the tributes from District 12.

Training was another matter.

While Haymitch was unsure what the other tributes from his district did, he made sure to keep in the middle of the pack. He didn't want a number too high to be considered a threat, but then again, he didn't want a low number to be considered fresh meat. With no mentor to guide Haymitch through the Games, he had to do the best he could on his own; and this made perfect sense to him.

During his evaluation, Haymitch threw a couple of knives then stood in front of the Game Makers and stared at them. Only half were watching his performance, but Haymitch soon gathered the attention by his staring.

"Is that all you are going to do?" A man in a red shirt asked.

Haymitch shrugged. "Yeah."

The Game Maker smirked. "Tell me, son, how do think you will fair in the arena?" Haymitch shrugged again. "Can you climb trees?" He shook his head. "Run with great speeds?" Another shake of his head, this time loosing the hair that was combed back and wetted down. "A skill with a weapon?"

Haymitch wanted to throw his hands in the air. "You just saw what I can do."

Thank you," another man called. "You may be dismissed."

Haymitch turned on his heels and walked out of the arena. He closed the heavy metal door behind him, turned, and came face to face with Effie. She was smiling, rocking back and forth on her heels.

"I was told to collect you," she said. "As if you don't know the way back to the penthouse."

Haymitch smiled and walked with her, matching her stride for stride. "That was weird."

"Oh, Haymitch, you shouldn't tell me about what happened in there," Effie cut him off, placing her hand softly on his arm. "You could get in trouble."

Haymitch couldn't help but smile as her voice changed and accent became thicker when she said his name. "I'm sure it's fine. Besides, it can be our secret."

Haymitch began to tell her about his evaluation and the questions the Game Makers asked him.

"Why do you think they asked you so many questions?" Effie wondered as they approached the twelfth floor of the housing facility. "I didn't think they could associate with tributes in that way."

Haymitch shrugged. "You got me."

Something must have worked with Haymitch's strategy, because the Game Makers gave him a seven: not too high to be alarming, but not to low to be the first target. His fellow tributes didn't fair too much better. Janica received a five, Maysilee a six and Darrien an eight.

"Turn please," the even-toned voice of Haymitch's designer said. "I think we are done here."

Haymitch stared at himself in the mirror as the designer exited the room. This doesn't look like me, he thought. I don't want to be here. I want to be home. I want to be home with Gemma.

There was a small rap on the door. Haymitch turned around in time to see Effie peek her head in the room.

"Sorry for intruding, but we're ready to head down to the stage," Effie softly spoke. "Haymitch, you look really nice."

He gave a small smirk. "Thanks, Effs."

Effs, Effie thought to herself, not knowing it was possible to shorten her already short name. I like it.

Effie led Haymitch out of the room and down to the stage, clutching a clipboard to her chest. Haymitch took the last spot in the line of tributes waiting to be interviewed. Effie wished him well before walking down the hallway, side glancing at the other tributes.

These guys are huge. I certainly hope Haymitch and the others know what to do when they are in the arena.

Effie hurried and took her spot in the crowd next to Aria and the design team and watched the interviews. Each district had played up to a sterotype. District One and Two never smiled playing up their seriousness and brutality. District Four was joking and likeable and District Eleven was vulnerable and endearing.

Since twelve had no mentor to guide the tributes, each one had their own personality. Darrien played cocky, taking a page from the Careers' book. Janica acted terrified, although something told Effie she truly was terrified. Maysilee expressed her desire to return home.

Before Effie could find the tears to form after hearing Maysilee's story, Haymitch was announced to the crowd. He walked on the stage with his hands in his pockets and a straight face. Caesar extended his hand to shake Haymitch's, who instead sat down in the guest chair. Caesar turned to the crowd, smirked, and sat back down in his chair.

"So Haymitch," Caesar started. "You're a long way from District Twelve. How are you liking the Capitol?"

Haymitch shrugged, something he was becoming good at. "It's okay, I guess."

Caesar nodded. "What have you enjoyed about the Capitol?"

Haymitch tilted his head back and forth, trying to come up with an answer. "The buildings are cool here, but I'd rather be in District Twelve."

Haymitch watched as Caesar squirmed in his seat; a thin line of sweat forming at his hairline. Certainly, this was not going the way Caesar planned and frankly, Haymitch didn't plan on giving an interview like this. He tried to be likeable for viewers in hopes to get sponsors, but these questions he was asking —

Get a fucking clue, Haymitch thought to himself. There's more important things than your precious Capitol and me enjoying my last hours in a city that smells like bleach and roses.

"What do you think of the Games having twice as many tributes?" Caesar asked.

Oh boy, what a loaded question.

"Honestly?" Haymitch hesitated. Caesar nodded, his smile growing wider. "I don't see much difference. They'll still be just as stupid."

Caesar's smile fell. Effie suppressed a laugh watching Caesar struggle to find the words to continue — a first for him, no doubt. On the other side, Aria bristled as the comments and kept repeating the same phrase: "Why, I never!"

Caesar thanked Haymitch for "the most interesting interview of the night" and led him off stage before wrapping the event up. Aria and Effie quickly exited their seats and met up with their tributes.

"Very well dears," Aria spoke before looking at Haymitch. "Well, to three of you that is."

Haymitch suppressed a smile, knowing the slightest joy in the matter would send Aria reeling and in a high-pitched tirade.

Effie followed behind the group with her smile still plastered on her face. "Well, I did learn something tonight from your interview."

"What's that?" Haymitch wondered.

"It is possible to shut Caesar Flickerman up!"